No. 1 qualifier Danny Rowe won his first-round matchup during the opening round of eliminations on
Saturday in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series at the 13th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley
Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway. The race is the fifth of 10
races in 2013 for NHRA's popular 250-mph doorslammer touring series.

Rowe kept up his strong weekend pace in his Agave Underground Tequila Chevy Camaro, putting
together a Saturday-best pass of 6.004 at 243.59 mph in his first-round win against the BAC
Enterprises team of Clint Satterfield. That came on the heels of finishing as the No. 1 qualifier
in his supercharger-powered entry, as his 5.958 at 243.37 from Friday stood up through the one
qualifying session on Saturday.

It was Rowe's second straight No. 1 qualifier and the third in four races as the Laguna Hills,
Calif. native goes after his first win of 2013 when eliminations continue on Sunday. A victory
would also get Rowe, who is currently ninth in points, back in the championship mix.

"We're really, really happy right now. Our whole crew has been working hard and we've been
consistent this year," Rowe said. "We just want to continue doing a good job and finish well in the
points. With the type of cars out there it's really been competitive, but we've been consistent and
that's a good sign.

"It's anybody's race right now and if we have a great weekend in Bristol and go out and win, we're
going to be right back in the (championship) hunt."

Rowe will meet Eric Dillard in the quarterfinals on Sunday after Dillard powered his Ford Mustang
to a 6.103 at 246.26 in an opening-round win against Mike Castellana.

Defending Pro Mod world champion Troy Coughlin won his first round matchup against Mike Knowles,
going 6.020 at 246.08 in his JEGS.com Corvette. He will meet the most recent Pro Mod event winner
after Mike Janis and his Valvoline Chevy Camaro beat Chip King with a 14.643 at 68.29.

Defending event winner Rickie Smith, who qualified No. 3 in his IDG Camaro, will meet Pete Farber,
who knocked off Von Smith with a pass of 6.017 at 241.41, in the second round.

The final quarterfinal matchup will feature points leader Kenny Lang, who drove his Summit Racing
Equipment Chevy Corvette to a 7.102 at 220.94 against Doug Winters, and Robert Patrick, who went
6.030 at 235.35 in his Ford Mustang to beat Steve Matusek.

NHRA Pro Mod Series eliminations will continue Sunday beginning at approximately 3:30 p.m.